Theatrical production to Blast! the Brooks Center stage

Published: January 10, 2012

Blast! uses color to evoke emotion. image by: Blast!

CLEMSON — Blast!, which combines music and theater in a unique explosion born from the showmanship and pageantry of marching bands, will come to Clemson University at 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, at the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts.

Fueled by a joint belief in the large creative potential of the drum corps genre, James Mason, the creative force behind the “Star of Indiana” nonprofit music education organization, along with businessman and organization founder, Bill Cook, set out to take their already established program to the next level. A desire to move the orchestra from the pit and onto the stage produced a hunger for a full throttle theatrical experience.

What developed was an intense performance merging drum corps’ pageantry, marching precision and instrumental virtuosity with props, costuming, staging, choreography, special effects and an exciting repertoire.

The winner of the 2001 Tony Award for “Best Special Theatrical Event” and the 2001 Emmy Award for “Best Choreography,” Blast! explores color and the different power and emotion each color holds. The cool attitude of blue fades into warmer shades and tones, producing a dramatic interpretation that takes place both on the stage and in the audience.

Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for students and can be purchased online, in person or by phone. Visit www.clemson.edu/Brooks or call the Box Office at 864-656-7787 from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

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